28 October 2010

Running Views

Today dawned brisk (55), beautifully clear and sunny here at home in my little Cittá Sant'Angelo. My run was exhilarating with views that made my heart soar. I run the Circonvallazione (ring road) around our town for 45 minutes each Tuesday and Thursday. Later, I took my camera to shoot the route and share a little more of where I live.

I start up a steep walkway, stairway and hill from my apartment to reach the Circonvallazione.

As I come around the first corner, this is what I see. It's the Gran Sasso, highest peak of the Apenine Mts. bright with the first snow of the season which fell last night.

Then to the top of the hill with the mountains in the background and the Circonvallazione over to the right.

Just through one of the four gates into the town, I run by a little local fall color.

Then a smaller hill by the elementary school and one of our many churches.

Down the road, on the side of town opposite Gran Sasso, I come to the park and run the path around it.

And see this view of the Adriatic Sea.

Back on the Circonvallazione, I run by these fields at the back side of town.

To come back to and end with the magnificent Gran Sasso as I head back down the hill to home.

It's not the only reason why I love to run but it sure is a strong reinforcer! I feel deeply grateful to live in and get to enjoy such a beautiful part of the world.

9 comments:

Wow, I can see why you like your morning run. I am so fascinated by your choice to live as an expat. We are also considering a possible move after retirement to living outside the US. You make it look appealing.

MP Mama, I am and I do know and take time to feel the gratitude.Nancy, Not to minimize the "what in the world did I do moments" but it is a life changing, perspective shifting, mind expanding and utterly lovely experience! And the people...Lou, We have parts of streets built in the 1200's! It's an ancient hill city that has kept alive by growing and changing but connected to the past. Patti, The views are amazing and regularly take my breath away. And I do love it.Nanny, I do pause when I get to the top of the hill and have that vista before me- I'm soaking, I'm soaking.Rosaria, My favorite cafe in Paese is the Rose Cafe run by Rosario. I think you'd like it. Yes, let's exercise together and encourage each other!

International Visitors Welcome

Translate

Welcome, come in.

About Me

As an ancestor in training I'm staying active and alert in this my middle decade of old age. In my first decade I retired and moved to Antigua and Italy to have adventures in other cultures. Traveling around the Caribbean and Europe for nine years grew me out of my too- small self and gave me a bigger world view and my place in it. That was quite an education. I'm married to my best friend and main squeeze for 44 years and have a daughter who's saving the rain forest together with her husband. Through her two children's tutelage I'm learning how to grandmother. It's a work in progress demanding fierce love, scoops of creativity as well as considerable fun along the way. I love my life.

Show up & Show Your Soul

We are needed, that is all we can know. …One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to show up and show your soul….To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these- to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. (Clarissa Pinkola Estes)